Autumn – and Christmas! – are Coming

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At the time of the writing and publishing of this post, the official first day of autumn is still a week or so away. But where I live, fall has started: rainy days, chilly nights, and some of the trees are starting to turn their colors. I love the “–ber” months – September, October, November, December. I’m a cold weather lover; and even though I spend more time indoors in the summer (hiding from the sun and the heat), I have trouble focusing on my writing (because of said heat). 

My brain wakes up in the autumn, and so far this month I’ve gotten more writing done that I did all of July and August combined. I’m on the home stretch (for real, finally) on the second book of The Light-Whisperers of Kalevala trilogy. I’m not sure if the book will be published by the end of the year, but I for sure will have at least finished the manuscript and be well into the editing and cover design phase. There will be some interior art (like in the first book); that’s already in process, so stay tuned to this blog and my social media for some sneak peaks sometime soon. 

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Summer Reading Slump?

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As I’m writing this, I realize that a lot of places have already started school again (college, high school, even elementary schools). Where I live, it’s still summer (hot as &*x# outside), and school doesn’t start till after Labor Day in September.

But no matter what time of year it is, sometimes we hit a reading slump. We yearn for a good book to read, but somehow that towering stack of To Be Read books just isn’t appealing. So, what can you do?

Re-read an Old Favorite

Is there a book you read recently – or not-so recently – that you really loved? Or that old favorite that you’ve read a dozen times in years past? While you’re trying to decide what to read next, you can always re-read something you’ve read before. There’s nothing wrong with reading a book again and again. It’s a great way to entertain while still being low pressure (because you know the plot), engage your brain in a way that only reading can, and you still might even get something new out of it. And it can get you back into the mode of reading if you’ve been stuck in a non-reading slump for a while.

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In Support of Complex Stories

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I’ve noticed a trend in stories in recent years that tends towards quick, easy reads. Novels with a relatively straightforward plot, short scenes and chapters, one or two POV characters. There’s a good reason these types of stories are popular – they’re easy to read and easy to write. A skilled author can easily crank out two or even more books a year. A reader can enjoy an entertaining story without taking a lot of time or mental energy. 

And in today’s always-busy, always-stressed world, that’s a good thing. An easy read is a great way to unplug – and any sort of reading is better than doomscrolling on social media these days. I enjoy the occasional “fluff” read myself. Sometimes a predictable plot and bite-sized chapters is the perfect brain break. 

But there’s still room for long, complicated, difficult reads. I’m not putting down anyone’s personal preference when it comes to books – with today’s technology and resources, anyone can find something they like to read. There are readers who want the quick and easy reads, and there are still the readers who want the verbose, detailed, complex reads. 

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How to Use Info Dumps

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Are you guilty of using way too many info dumps in your stories? (It’s okay—I am, too).

Put simply, an info dump is just what it sounds like: a large dump of information (or explanation) in the middle of an unfolding story. It can be a problem in the fantasy, sci-fi, and even historical fiction genres, because those require more explanations of the world than a story set in present-day in Big City, USA.

It is generally advised to not use info dumps because they can slow down the pace of a story. If the high-stakes action has to be paused for two pages while the author explains how a piece of technology works, why the wizards are using those particular magical talismans in their battle, or lay out a family tree of this nobleman’s family—then readers may get bored, or lose track of what was actually happening in the plot at that moment. As fascinating as the world of your story is, you don’t want your novel to read like a textbook.

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A (Re-)Introduction Post 

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It’s been a while since I’ve done any sort of intro post (like, years), and since I’ve gained at least a few new followers in that time, I thought it might be time for another one. You know, just some quick tidbits about me, so you can better understand who you’re following and decide if this was such a wise choice after all. 

You can check out some other posts to learn about my all-time favorite author (Beatrix Potter), or other random things about me. There is also this post from a few years ago about who I am vs who I want to be, and is just as true today as it was in 2022.

And now, here are five other quick trivia bits about me that you may or may not care to know: 

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